This year, on the International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22), the United Nations launched the theme “Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development”, emphasizing the urgent need to protect global biodiversity. Vietnam is among the countries most severely affected by natural disasters and climate change. For many years, barely a year has passed without tragic news from the central region or the mountainous northern provinces. Van Chan District in Yen Bai Province is one such area that has suffered greatly from flash floods and landslides. Born and raised in a land shaped by the harshness of nature, Mr. Sung A Cai has a deep understanding of the value of forests. It is from this understanding that he nurtures his dream of greening Vietnam through a project he calls “The Dream of a Million Trees”.
Wishing to accompany and support Sung A Cai on this meaningful journey, the “Kind Deeds” program launched its 10th anniversary campaign, Forest of Kindness. By contributing the equivalent of just one tree ( 35,000 VND), audiences planted one green hope for their homeland. As a result, 10,200 trees were sent to Sung Do commune – a challenging area in Van Chan district, Yen Bai – in just one week.
On a sunny day in May, the Kindness Bus traveled to the highlands and joined the residents of Na Noi village, Sung Do commune, to replant a section of the forest. There, representatives of the “Kind Deeds” program and the local government of Sung Do signed a pledge to care for the trees, protect the forest, and plant all the saplings delivered during the campaign.
Mr. Giang A Lu, Chairman of Sung Do Commune People’s Committee, shared: “This is a significant program for our locality. Despite the strengthening of forest planting and protection efforts strengthened over the years, the forest here still consists mostly of shrubs, and valuable tree species are scarce. Adding new tree varieties brings hope for a sustainable forest that can provide long-term benefits to the community”.
After two days of collective effort by local authorities and people, all 10,200 trees were planted. Everyone was joyful and proud of what they had accomplished. The rows of young trees reaching toward the sky symbolized the people of Sung Do's solidarity and the shared aspiration to build a green future.
Mr. Lai Thanh Binh, Head of Ban Dong Forest Ranger Station, stated: “In the highlands, people live in close connection with the forest. Compared to the past, the awareness of forest protection has seen positive changes. Illegal logging and encroachment have significantly decreased. The Forest of Kindness campaign is a meaningful occasion to enhance education and raise public awareness about the role of forests”.
Mr. Cai, who has lived through devastating storms, shared emotionally: “I still remember when a severe natural disaster struck my hometown back in 2006. Our crops were destroyed. From then on, I started dreaming of planting trees. Today, accompanying the ‘Kind Deeds’ is a truly special experience for me. Every tree planted is a message of love for nature, the environment, and future generations. If we all spread kindness and care for forests with all our hearts, the world will surely become greener, more beautiful, and warmer”.
